64 NOTES TO BOOK 1.

ings of the several streets on the shores, exhibiting the most pic- turesque and enlivening scenes the eye could desire.

“ The rendezvous was at Knight’s wharf, at the northern extre- mity of the city. By half after four, the whole company were em- barked ; and the signal being made by the Vigilant’s manning ship,the three divisions rowed slowly down, preserving their proper inter- vals, and keeping time to the music that led the fleet. On arriving between the Fanny and the Market wharf, a signal was made from one of the boats a-head, and the whole lay upon their oars, while the music played ‘ God Save the King,’ and then three cheers given from the vessels, were returned by the multitude on shore.

“ By this time, the flood-tide became too rapid for the galleys to advance; they were, therefore, quitted, and the company disposed of in the different barges. This alteration broke in upon the order of procession, but it was necessary to give sufficient time for dis- playing the entertainment that was prepared on shore. The land. ing-place was at the old fort, a little to the south of the town, fronting the building prepared for the reception of the company, about a hundred yards from the water, by a gentle ascent.

“ As soon as the general’s barge was seen to push for the shore, a salute of seventeen guns was fired from the Roebuck, and, after some interval, the same number from the Vigilant. The company, as they disembarked, arranged themselves into a line of procession, and advanced through an avenue formed by two lines of grena- diers, and a line of light horse supporting each file. This avenue led to a square lawn of 150 yards on each side, lined with troops, and properly prepared for the exhibition of tilt and tournament, acoording to the customs and ordinances of ancient chivalry. We proceeded through the centre of the square ; the music, consisting of all the bands of the army, moved in front; the managers, with favours of blue and white ribands in their breasts, followed next in order. The general, ad miral,_&c., and the rest of the company, succeeded promiscuously.

“ In front appeared the building, bounding the View through a vista formed by two triumphal arches erected at proper intervals, in a line with the landing-place. Two pavilions, with rows of benches rising one above another, and serving as the advanced wings of the